The important thing, of course, is that ShadowCell never confused a thought experiment and a hypothesis.

and in fact, i don't believe he brought either of them up.

i don't know if there is a poll somewhere, but i just wanted to let you know, merest, that i also think you sound pompously bizarre and condescending. although i don't know about hollowly condescending. i get the sense that your condescension is robust and full-bodied._________________aka: neverscared!

Nah, she didn't. I've been meaning to ask her; but I left that conversation feeling like a bit of a derp so I've been too awkward to bring it up again. It's been on my mind, hence why it occurred to me to ask around here, in a discussion thread already centred around race and racism. I've been confused for a long time over race-related terms, because I was brought up to think that "coloured" was an acceptable word to use, and it wasn't until my late teens that I found out just how racist it was considered to be. I think that the kinds of words people use in the States compared to here in Britain also differ a lot. I've only ever seen the terms "Person of Colour" or "PoC" used online, by users based in the US. It seems to be the most widely accepted term, but - forgive my horrible, horrible ignorance here - what exactly is the difference between that and the word "coloured"? Grammatically speaking, "coloured" and "of colour" sound more or less the same, and every dodgy connotation that I can think of for one is still present in the other, so... What makes one inherently racist and the other respectful? Is it to do with historical usage?

Nah, she didn't. I've been meaning to ask her; but I left that conversation feeling like a bit of a derp so I've been too awkward to bring it up again. It's been on my mind, hence why it occurred to me to ask around here, in a discussion thread already centred around race and racism. I've been confused for a long time over race-related terms, because I was brought up to think that "coloured" was an acceptable word to use, and it wasn't until my late teens that I found out just how racist it was considered to be. I think that the kinds of words people use in the States compared to here in Britain also differ a lot. I've only ever seen the terms "Person of Colour" or "PoC" used online, by users based in the US. It seems to be the most widely accepted term, but - forgive my horrible, horrible ignorance here - what exactly is the difference between that and the word "coloured"? Grammatically speaking, "coloured" and "of colour" sound more or less the same, and every dodgy connotation that I can think of for one is still present in the other, so... What makes one inherently racist and the other respectful? Is it to do with historical usage?

People-first language is the idea here. When you say "colored" the implied is "colored people." "Person of color" puts the "person" first, hopefully to emphasize that whoever you're talking about is, first and above all else, a person. It's a small difference in language that can potentially make a big difference in perception, and the way people think.

I think historical usage also plays a role. I'm pretty sure the term colored was meant to replace other more derogatory things - though many people at the time didn't think there was anything wrong with the earlier terms. "African American" was also supposed to be a better term than colored, but we're moving away from that term as well.

People of Color is a term I've heard black people use more than others, and I've read many a thing about how PoC is the best term to use right now. That might not be true, or it might not stay true, but to the best of my knowledge, this is the term most people agree is not offensive._________________[Stripeypants has enabled lurk mode.]